Incoming transfers will grab most of the headlines this summer, but what Steve Bruce decides to do with Matty Longstaff will be one to watch closely. The 21-year-old is entering the final year of the two-year contract he signed last summer which basically only kicked the big decision on his future down the road.
This time around it could take some convincing to get the local lad to commit to Newcastle. He made just 5 appearances last term and was frozen out for the final three months despite giving a good account of himself during a stretch of starts at the turn of the New Year.
Matty’s season got off to a foreboding start due to a pesky thigh injury that kept him out of the reckoning for the first two months. He made his season debut in early November in the 2-0 defeat at Southampton coming on as a second-half substitute.
The midfielder didn’t get a real opportunity until late December and early January where he was handed four starts in five matches. Then just as suddenly as Matty came into the team, he was out of Bruce’s thinking for the remainder of the season with the head coach opting for experience down the stretch.
Ultimately, Bruce’s decision to block a loan move to Watford in January turned out to be a very poor one. It cost Matty a great opportunity to get some first-team football under his belt. With Joe Willock being brought in on loan, Bruce had enough cover in midfield to sanction the move.
However, hindsight is 20/20 as they say and Newcastle have work to do to salvage Longstaff’s future as a Magpie. The best course forward could be to follow the Freddie Woodman example of two years ago.
Woodman was coming off a similarly disappointing campaign after having a loan move blocked by then-manager Rafa Benitez. The goalkeeper had a few starts in the FA Cup but it was first-team football that he was thirsting for.
In 2019, Woodman, as he was entering the final year of his deal, agreed to a year-long extension before heading to Swansea for a season-long loan. That proved to be an outstanding decision as Freddie improved immensely and signed a three year deal last summer before going back to the Liberty Stadium this past season.
Newcastle could work out a similar loan move for Matty and convince him to extend his current contract to 2023. He should have no shortage of Championship clubs willing to bring him in next season. While Watford have been promoted, The Chronicle claims that Derby are looking at Matty as a loan option for next season.
399 comments so far
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:04 AM
Comment #321Bill
You better hope 1 or 2 more don’t turn up ๐
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:06 AM
Comment #322Don’t think there’s any chance of those portent happening! ๐
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:07 AM
Comment #323Better just stick with the joy then mate ๐
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:10 AM
Comment #324Right I’m away , bed time for me
Good night Bill , take care mate ๐
The same to any lurkers ๐
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:11 AM
Comment #325Evening fellas
Howโs everyone doing?
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:11 AM
Comment #326Speaking of Gin, I spotted non alcoholic versions in my local Waitrose but can’t see the point in it.
low alcohol beer at least has a decent beer flavour but gin is just going to be like fruit juice, surely.
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:11 AM
Comment #327NY
You’ve only gone and done it again ๐
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:12 AM
Comment #328Whoops, sorry ๐
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:12 AM
Comment #329NY Mag
Evening, so are you a butterfly or a magpie?
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:13 AM
Comment #330NY
Lol , good night bud take care and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow if you’re about ๐
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:14 AM
Comment #331Iโm nee butterfly, thatโs for sure ๐
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:14 AM
Comment #332NY Mag
I speed read the discussions on the court cases as they seemed to be going nowhere, did you make any sense out of them?
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:15 AM
Comment #333Goodnight rom,
Maybe, Iโll be around – but itโll be late
Definitely be around for the banter on Friday
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:16 AM
Comment #334Ok mate , well if I don’t speak before , I’ll catch you Friday , thumbs up emoji ๐
Romford mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:17 AM
Comment #335Good night all ๐
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:18 AM
Comment #336GdNight Rom.
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:19 AM
Comment #337Bill,
Yeah, I read it – I think bob put it best.
The PL asked for (and were granted an extension) to prepare evidence as to why they think either :-
a) CAT does not have jurisdiction
b) they should not apply their jurisdiction
They have until 5pm Friday to submit that. Weโll probably see something in the public domain next week regarding the outcome of that.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:21 AM
Comment #338Ah OK, still up in the air then! ๐
Essex Geordie Bill
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:24 AM
Comment #339NY Mag
Sorry to be another turner inner, but I’m off as well.
Gd’Night
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:27 AM
Comment #340Bill,
I think the PL (lawyers) strategy is to keep kicking the can down the line so that arbitration happens first.
Then itโs kind of a win-win for them.
If separation is proved, ODT goes ahead and probably the takeover happens. PL will then say there is no competition case to answer.
If separation is not proved, the PL will say they made the right decision in the first place and therefore their is no competition case to answer.
Only my opinion, of course (no facts or sources involved) ๐
NY Mag
Jun 9, 2021 at 1:28 AM
Comment #341No worries Bill,
I know itโs getting late….goodnight mate, take care
lesh
Jun 9, 2021 at 3:08 AM
Comment #342cleveleysbob
You posted a very simple yet concise summary of the competition case status. You’re putting too much tonic in your gin!
๐
lesh
Jun 9, 2021 at 3:18 AM
Comment #343NY Mag
@340
You’re right in suggesting that the EPL will try to kick the can down the road but bear in mind that the CAT judge can order an end to such behaviour if he feels it’s time-wasting.
And, might I suggest that even if EPL does manage to delay the CAT tribunal and the arbitration hearing takes place before it, the matter of whether the EPL acted unlawfully or not could still be considered. It’s not the EPL final decision that’s being contested but what’s led up to it’s unwillingness to consider the ODT.
I think
lesh
Jun 9, 2021 at 3:24 AM
Comment #344According to the Chronic, Carrroll’s been offered a one year contract. Add that to Gayle being offered a three and one must wonder what the hell madness there is at the club.
Two strikers way past their best, maybe ยฃ50k a week to warm the bench – what’s going on?
cyprus
Jun 9, 2021 at 6:27 AM
Comment #345On CFs, keep AC but use him more. Has not been given a proper chance, ten minutes in any game just isn’t enough.
Bring in another, priority, for sure. Wilson is injury prone. For the same reason, Willems is a risk.
Talking of injury, ship Gayle.
The only other position which is super urgent, MF. Willock is a kid, very talented, as his record shows. But, he didn’t always dominate when here. He was more in and out, literally AND when on the pitch. Break the bank for him? I’m thinking Kenedy second year, as someone mentioned. If the cash is available, sure, otherwise loan.
We need a player who we know dominates in that position and is available. We’ve had a weaker MF than most other sides for many many years. We need to focus on that position till we get it right. More so than the CF position. Any CF won’t score without chances, which is mainly up to AMFs to create.
For this position and person, yes, shell out: Barkley.
captainmarvel
Jun 9, 2021 at 7:29 AM
Comment #346Ref. CAT (a personal view of course..)
For me it hangs on trying to twist (PL) themselves to be seen as a consortium which they are clearly not, rather than an organization which they clearly are..
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 9, 2021 at 7:36 AM
Comment #347So are we really giving Gayle and Carroll new deals?
We would be better ditching them and playing one of the youngsters if we really don’t want to spend money so we can use their wages for any free agents!
Jail for Ashley
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:01 AM
Comment #348LCBP,
I can’t believe it’s even making the rumour mill, it’s bloody ridiculous.
martoon
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:06 AM
Comment #349LCBP & Jail – I have to agree – when Gayle came on it was obvious he didn’t want to be here and for whatever reason Bruce wouldn’t play Carroll (rumours of a bust up) so as Jail says – bloody madness!
Jail for Ashley
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:16 AM
Comment #350martoon,
Well done for all the effort put in to your poll, I remember from Rafa bingo there’s a lot of time taken up on it.
Wor B
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:20 AM
Comment #351Morning folks
Some interesting (and slightly bogus) entries to challenge DMicky’s factoid of the day yesterday!
Honourable mentions to EGB for his hamster tale and GT for his “Yule never wore cologne” line. ๐
WLtoon for his unintended entry… “Gin and dry ginger, very moreish indeed, makes a nice change from beer.”
(More of an opinion I know but hey, I just make this stuff up)
A very strong challenge from JaF created a dead heat situation with DM’s Font/Type face trivia…
“Boots Randolph a distinguished saxophonist said he played with many great artists including recording with elvis said he was most famous for that bloody benny hill theme Yakaty sax.”
Well done to all. I’ll be back when I’ve thought up some more nonsense to bore you with.
Mund
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:30 AM
Comment #352Says it all when they are negotiating a punishment ๐ YCMIU or yea they could
Mike Keegan
@MikeKeegan_DM
Premier League and Big Six near agreement over Super League punishment. Should be announced tomorrow. Fines not points. Ongoing row over whether cash goes to other clubs, grassroots or both. No disciplinary process. Insiders say a โfraughtโ process.
Adamn_92
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:30 AM
Comment #353Google has just been slapped with a โฌ220m fine for anti competitive behaviour in France I believe. Bet Ashley wouldnโt mind a nice pay out like that!
Jail for Ashley
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:31 AM
Comment #354Hope I’m going to alright on this drive home, didn’t get much kip last night ๐
Wor B
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:38 AM
Comment #355Jail
Vodka and Redbull keeps you reasonably alert.
cleveleysbob
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:39 AM
Comment #356Iโm as rough as the proverbial badgers! Did I behave?
Looks like I was more reasonable than when sober, whoโd have thunk? ๐
Morning all. Mrs got me up early to go into town shopping, aaargh! Help! ๐
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:44 AM
Comment #357Gayle and Carroll on a combined wage of what about 70k a week?But neither of them will make a significant contribution next season
I would say Gayle is worse because his body language is terrible on the pitch
At least when Carroll comes on he does try
For someone who doesn’t like spending money on the club the level of waste on players who do nothing but sit on big wages is SHOCKING!!
Wor B
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:48 AM
Comment #358Cbob
Get yersell one of those rapid covid tests and blue felt-tip pen mate!
Jail for Ashley
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:54 AM
Comment #359Wor B,
There’s laws against that type of thing.
Wor B
Jun 9, 2021 at 8:57 AM
Comment #360Jail
If you’re the driver try it without one of those ingredients!
If you’re not the driver…
๐